Envelop-stamping machine.



No. 627,59I. Patented June' 27 I899. m. NIELSEN & c. A. MADSEN.

ENVELOP STAMPING MACHINE.

(Application filed Jan. 5, 1898.)

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet I.

J/lyWESS INVENTOHS V A I THE norms swans co. PNOTO-LITNQ. wmnmu'mx. 04c,

No. 627,59l. Patented June 27, I899. L. M. NIELSEN & C. A. MADSEN.

ENVELOP STAMPING MACHINE.

(Application filed Jan. 5, 1898.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 (No Model.)

INVENTURS II/l/l/l/f m I n I ms NORRIS wzrzas 60., Puorauma. WASHINGTON,n. c.

No. 627,59l'. Patented June 27, I899. L. M. NIELSEN &. C. A. MADSEN.

ENVELOP STAMPING MACHINE.

(Application filed. Ian. 5, 1898.) (No Model.) 5 SheetsSheat 3.

WITNESS INVENTOHS,

dMW/M,

' W 4% g I I'NE pumps FEYERS co, PNo Yourno WASHINGTON, n c

Patented June 27, I899.

L. M. NIELSEN &. C. A. MADSEN.

ENVELOP STAMPING MACHINE.

(Application filed Jan. 5, 1898.)

' N. D. 0. THE noams FETERS co. FHOTOLITNOY, WASHINOTO Patented June 27,I899.

Lyn. NIELSEN & a. A. MADSEN. ENVELOP STAMPING- MAQHINE.

(Application flld Jan. 5, 1898.)

(No Model.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 5.

WITNESS C IN |/EN Tons 7,9. ji /464V A if M MM /\1/ M I ATTORNEYJ' m:Nunms PETERS co. mowuwa, WASHINGTON. m r.

UNITED STATES LAURITS MARIUS NIELSEN AND CHARLES A. MADSEN, on NEW YORK,N. Y.

ENVELOP-STAM PING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 627,591, dated June 27,1899.

Application'filed ma 5,1898. Serial No. 665,607. (N model.)

To (0Z6 whom it mag concern.-

- Be it known that we, LAURITS MARIUS NIEL- SEN and CHARLES AUGUSTMADSEN, citizens of the United States, residing at New York,

(Brooklyn,) in the county of Kings and State I the stamp, and eject thestamped envelop.-

The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, ofwhich the accompanying drawings form a part, in which the separate partsof our improvement are designated by the same numerals of reference ineach of the views, and in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of amachine embodying our improvements, parts being broken away. Fig. 2 isa' front elevation, partly in section. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation, partsbeing broken away. Fig. 4 is a top or plan view, partly in section. Fig.5 is an inverted plan view showing a portion of the under side. Fig. 6is a detail side View showing the guide slot and groove in the end ofthe cam-drum. Fig. 7 is a detail horizontal sectional view taken on theline 09 00 Fig. 2. Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of the reservoirwick-carrying frame. Fig. 9 is a detail plan view of the outer end ofthe leverarm carrying the moistening-pad, showing the adjacent slottedportion of the table. Fig. 10 is a detail horizontal sectional Viewtaken on the line 00 00 Fig. 2. Fig. 11 is a top or plan view of thecam-drum mechanism, partly in section, Fig. 12 is a detail verticalsectional view taken on, the line 00 06 Fig. 3, and looking in thedirection of the arrows, parts being broken "away to show theconstruction.

Referringto the drawings, 1 designates a table .or platform upon whichthe envelops are placed and which carries both above and below it theoperating mechanism. This platform is suitably elevated upon a frameworkor support 2.

The envelops are placed one at a time, face up, at the front portion ofthe table or platform, with their' right-hand edge against atransversely-arran'ged vertical guide-plate 3, projecting from the table1, and with their top edges against an upwardly projecting finger 4,extending through a transversely-arranged slot 5 in the table 1 andcarried upon an ejector-slide 6, operating beneath said slot. Theejector device thus serves the additional office of a guide in theproper placing or setting of the envelop in position, and these twoguide devices 3 and 4 are relatively arranged 'at right angles, so thatthey will operate to bring the upper right-hand corner of the envelop indirect position under the stampaffixing plunger mechanism hereinafterdescribed. The vertical guide-plate 3 preferably has a horizontalforwardly-extending top plate or flange 7, which forms a housing orguard for the envelop in theejecting movement.

8 designates an upright framework which is mounted upon the table orplatform 1 and carries part'of the operating mechanism and also formsbearings for the main plunger mechanism by which the various devices areactuated.

The improved construction and arrangement comprised in our invention isdesigned to effect by a single stroke of the main plunger mechanism thesimultaneous and corelative actuation of all the operative partscomprised in the machine in one complete but relatively successiveseries of movements. The plunger mechanism which thus actuates thevarious operative devices comprises a' cross-head 9, arranged in a planeextending from front to rear of the machine and carrying at its rear enda vertical plunger-rod 10,

' guided in suitable bearings 11 in the main upright frame 8. Thiscross-head carries at its front end a vertical plunger-rod 12, which Iis guided in suitable bearings 13 at the front portion of the frame 8and forms the operative plunger for affixing the stamps. The rearplunger-rod 10 is connected with and operates the stamp-moistening andthe envelopejecting mechanism. The plungers 10 and 12 are preferablybraced at their'lower por- Ioo tions by a connecting bar or plate 14,and for end 31 of an upwardly-curved rear arm 32,

the purpose of bracing the plunger mechanism against lateral strain therespective ends of this cross-bar may travel in vertical slots intubular housings 16, comprised in the upright framework 8 andrespectively arranged at the lower end portions of the plunger-rods 10and 12, these rods being adapted to slide within said housings.

The cross-head 9 of the frame of the plunger mechanism operates abovethe main framework 8 and carries an operating-handle 17, and forpurposes of greater strength a vertical connecting-rod 18 may bearranged to extend between the cross-head 0 and the lower cross bar orplate 14.

Upon the front plunger-rod 12, between a shoulder 19 comprised in thefront portion of the framework 8 and a cross-piece or projection 20 onthe plunger-rod, is mounted a coiled spring 21 of sufficient tension toreturn the main operating plunger mechanism and the various mechanismswith which it is directly connected and which it actuates to normalposition after each downstroke of the main operating plunger mechanism.

The main operating plunger mechanism is preferably centrally arrangedwith relation to the machine, and to the lower rear end of theplunger-rod 10 is pivotally attached a connecting-rod 22, which extendsdownwardly and is pivotally attached to the inner end or head 23 of acam-drum 24, mounted upon, but independently of, a transverse shaft 25,carried in bearings 26 upon the table or platform 1 and extending acrossa slot or opening 27 in the latter, in which slot or opening thecam-drum operates. The connection of the rod 22 with the head or end 23of the camdrum 24 is at a point eccentric to the bearing of said drumand in front of said bearing, as shown. It will be understood that theslot or opening 27 is arranged at the rear of the machine, back of thegeneral operating mechanism and beneath the rear plunger-rod 10.

The moistening mechanism, stamp-feed mechanism,andstamp-affixingmechanism are directly connected with and actuated by themain operating plunger mechanism, While the envelop-ejecting mechanismis independently mounted and operated by the cam-drum 24, which latteroperates the moistening mechanism. The envelop-ejecting mechanism isthus directly operated by the moistening mechanism and independentlyoperated by the main plunger mechanism. The cam 21 and the similarcam-drum of the envelopejecting machanism (to be hereinafter described)are arranged to describe only a partial revolution upon the shaft 25.

The cam-drum 21 is provided in its under portion with acam-slot 2S,embodyinga main portion 29, extended at an oblique angle to the plane ofthe bearing of said drum, and a front extension 30 at approximatelyright angles to the plane of the bearing of the drum. This cam-slot isengaged by the lower rear projecting through the slot or opening 27 andcomprised in a lever 33, fulcrumed, as at 34, upon the table or platform1 at a point adjacent to the front edge of the opening or slot27andinfront of the cam-drum 24. The lower end 31 of this lever may be providedwith a friction-roller 35 for engagement with the cam-slot 28. To thefront arm 36 of the lever 33 is pivoted a connecting-rod 37, extendingtransversely inwardly toward the center of the machine and having itsinner end pivotally connected to a lever-arm 38, fulcrumed, as at 39,upon the table or platform 1 and projecting forwardly, so that its outerend will swing over the table and under the bottom end or head of thestamp-affixing plunger-rod 12. The connecting-rod 37 is aflixed to thelever-arm 38 at a point in front of the fulcrum 39 of the latter.

The front end of the lever 38 carries a moistening-pad 40, adapted to becarried over the end or point of the envelop when the latter is placedin position and moisten the same. In the initial position of thelever-arm 38 the moistening-pad 10 will rest over a slot or opening 41in the table or platform 1, provided at the left-hand side of the planeof movement of the stamp-affixing plunger-rod 12. Beneath this opening41 is provided a reservoir 12, carried upon the under side of the tableorplatformlandcontainingafeeding wick or pad 43, the top portion ofwhich projects through the'slot or opening 4-l,so that themoistening-pad comes in contact with the same when the lever-arm 3b isat rest at the point of its initial movement. The reservoir 2 is adaptedto contain a suitable quantity of water or other fluid, which may be fedto the reservoir through an opening 44: in the table 1, which opening isclosed by a plug or stopper 4:5. The reservoir is preferably dividedinto a series of communicating compartments, as at 46, and between theangles formed by the vertical walls or partitions of the last or maincompartment is adapted to be fitted an angular frame 47, with V-shapedends 48 fitting the corner angles of said compartment, which framecarries the feeding-wick 43 and retains the same in proper position.This angular frame 47 may be passed through the slot or opening 41 toenable the mounting of the same in position.

\Vhen the mechanism is in normal position, the rear lower end 31 of thelever 33 will rest at the inner end of the oblique portion 2.) of thecam-slot 28 of the cam-drum 24. \Vhen the main plunger mechanism isdepressed in its downstroke, said end 31 will travel in the obliqueportion 29 of said cam-slot as said cam-drum is turned by theconnecting-rod 22,

and in this travel the lever 33 and connecting-rod 37 and the lever-arm38 are actuated, so'that the latter swings in a full movement to carryits outer end and the moistening-pad 40 under the stamp-afiixing plunger2 and across the surface of the envelop.

\Vhen this limit of outer movement of the lever-arm 38 is reached, thelowerend of the stam p-affixing plunger will still be in'a positionabove, but [just above, the plane of movement of said arm, and as thedrum 24 is further turned 9 during the continued downward movement ofthe stamp-affixing plunger 12 in the operation of aflixing the stamp thelower rear end 31 of the lever 33 will travel in the right-angle frontextension of the cam-slot 28, and the lever mechanism carrying themoistening-pad will consequently remain in stationary position. On theautomatic return movement of the main operating plunger mechanism byaction of the return-spring 21 the end 31 of the lever 33 will travelrearwardly in the transverse front extension 30 of the cam-slot 28'while the lower end of the stamp-affixing plunger 12 is moving to aposition above the plane of movement of the lever-arm 38, and as soon assaid end 31 of the lever 33 reaches the oblique portion 29 of thecam-slot in the reverse operation of the camdrum 24 the lever. mechanismcarrying the moistening-pad 40 will be'agc tion.

49 designates a cam-drum which is independently mounted upon the shaft25 at the righthand side of the cam-drum 24. In their relative positionsupon the shaft 25 the camd'rums 24 and 49 are arranged so that theirinner ends or heads will be separated a suitable distance, and theconnecting-rod 22, by which the cam-drum 24 is operated, projects withinthis intervening space. The camdrum 49 is provided in its under portionwith a cam-slot 50, extended at an oblique angle to the plane of thebearing of said drum and engaged by an upwardly-projectin g lower end 51upon the upwardly turned or curved rear arm 52 of a lever 53, fulcrumed,as at 54, upon the under side of the platform or table 1 near the frontedge of the slot or opening 27, the front arm 55 of said lever beingarranged to extend forwardly and connect with a downwardly-projectingarm 56 upon the ejector slide-plate 6. Inasmuch as the slide-plateoperates in a direct transverse plane with relation to the arc describedby the outer end of the lever 53 in the swinging movement of the latter,asliding connection is provided between said lever and the arm 56 of theplate 6, which sliding connection is preferably formed by a cylindricalfinger 57 at the front end of the lever 53 engaging a corresponding eyeor openingin a lateral projection 58 upon the arm 56. To provide for theindependent return of the ejector mechanism to normal position, a coiledspring59 is arranged to extend at the left-hand side of the lever 53from a point in front of its fulcrum to a pin or stud 60 upon the underside of the table 1. The upwardly-projecting lower rear end 51 of thelever 53 may be provided with a friction-roller 61, operating in thecamslot 50.

n actuated to swing the lever-arm 38 back to normal posi The cam-drum49, which operates the ejector mechanism, carries at its top atransverse rod 62, having sliding hearings in the outer and inner endsor heads 63 and 64, respectively, of the drum. 62 has a square orangular sliding bearing 66 in the inner head 64 of the drum 49 toprevent lateral movement of said rod, and a coiled spring 67 is mountedupon the rod between the shoulder formed by said angular head and theouterend or head 63 of the drum, the tendency of said spring being toforce the head outwardly from the inner face of the drum.

This projecting head (35 has a finger 68 at its outer en d,whichprojects into a segmental slot 69, formed at the top portion of theinner head 23 of the drum 24, and back of said finger end 68 the head 65is provided with top and bottom horizontally-arranged rollers 70 70,which are adapted to bear against a guidetrack 71, formed by abracket-arm 72, projectin g upwardly and forwardly from the table 1, inrear of the slot or opening 27 therein, into the space between the twocam-drums,

the track-arm of this bracket being arranged,

adjacent to and in parallel position with the inner head 23 of the drum24 and being provided with a segmental slot 7 3, corresponding to theslot 69 and adapted to accommodate the finger 68 upon the sliding rod62. The guide-track 71 inclines rearwardly toward the inner end or headof the cam-drum 49, as shown. The outer face of the end or head 23 ofthe cam-drum 24 is provided at the lower rear end of the segmental slot69 with an incline 74, extending from the base of said slot to the outerface of said end or head 23 and leading to an eye or opening in saidhead 23, which eye or opening is adapted to be engaged by the finger 68of the sliding rod 62.

The lower rear end 51 of the lever 53 is normally at the outer end ofthe cam-slot 50 of the cam-drum 49, and the outer end of the lever 53projects therefrom toward the lefthand side of the machine, so that theejecting slide-plate 6 rests at the left-hand end of its slot 5. Whenthe main plunger operating mechanism is depressed and the drum 24 turnsforwardly until the lower rear end 31 of the lever 33 has just enteredthe forwardlyprojecting transverse extension 30 of the slot 28, at whichtime the lever 33 will have completed its swing in the moisteningoperation, the finger 68 of the sliding rod 62 will have traveled to therear end of the segmental slot 69 in the inner head of the drum 24 andbe just at the entrance of the guide-incline 74. During this movementjust described the cam-drum 49 of the ejector mechanism and all themechanism connected therewith will have remained stationary. Then in thefurther operation of the drum 24 while the stamp-affixing plunger 12 iscompleting its full downward movement the'finger 68 of the sliding rod62 will travel over the incline 74 and the sliding rod 62 will be forcedinwardly against the tension of its spring 67 until the The head 65 ofthis rod.

finger 68 slips back into the eye or opening 75 by reason of the returnaction of the spring (37. At the point of operation just described thestamp -aifixing plunger 12 will have reached its full limit of downwardmovement and the stamp will have been affixed to the envelop, while thecam-drum 49 of the ejector mechanism still remains stationary, but hasbeen locked in connection with the cam-drum 24. As the main operatingplunger mechanism returns to normal position from its downward stroke byaction of the returning-spring 21 the cam-drum 24 turns rearwardly andcarries with it the cam-drum 49 in a correspondin g rearward movement,during which operation the rollers 70 upon the sliding rod 62 travelupon the inclined guide-track 71 of the arm of the bracket 72, and thesliding rod 62 is forced inwardly with respect to the drum 49 until itsfinger 68 slips from engagement with the eye or opening in the drum 24:.At the point in the operation just described the stainp-aflixing plunger12 has reached a position just above the plane of movement of themoistening-pad arm 38 and said arm has still remained in stationaryposition, while the rear lower end 31 of the lever 33 has beenaccommodated in the forward extension 30 of the cam-slot 2S and has justreached the front end of the oblique portion 29 of said slot. During themovement just stated, which is quick or instantaneous by reason of itsbeing spring-actuated by operation of the return-spring 21, the rearwardmovement of the cam-drum 49 has caused the lower rear end 51 of thelever 53 to travel in the cam-slot 50 until it reaches the inner end ofsaid slot, thus operating said lever 53 in a quick swing against thetension of its spring 59 to cause the ejector-slide 6 to move quickly inits slot 5 toward the right-hand side of the machine, and thus eject thestamped envelop. As soon as the finger 68 of the sliding rod 62 hasslipped from engagement with the eye or opening 75 of the cam-drum 24the cam-drum 49 is released from its locking connection with saidcam-drum 24 and the spring 59 operates to return the ejector mechanismand its camdrum 49 instantly to normal position, and the finger (58 ofthe sliding rod 62 again enters the rear end of the segmental slot (39in the cam-drum 2%, while the latter continues its reverse rearward turnunder action of the main returning-spring 21 to carry the moisteningmechanism back to its initial position in the manner hereinbeforedescribed.

From the foregoing description it will be understood that the returnmovement of the moistening and stamp-ailixing mechanisms areinstantaneous, being spring-actuated by the returning-sprin g 21,whileboth the forward and return movements of the ejector mechanisms areinstantly accomplished at an intermittent point in the return movementof the other mechanisms under action of its returning-spring 59. Therespective operations above described are all accomplished by a singlestroke of the main plunger operating mechanism, on the downstroke ofwhich the moistening mechanism is first operated and then thestamp-ailixing mechanism, and then on the spring-actuated returnmovement of of the main operating plunger mechanism while thestamp-affixin g mechanism is being returned the ejector mechanism isoperated in a complete movement, and then the moistening mechanism isreturned to normal position.

The ejector-slide (3 is arranged to operate in a suitable guide 76,arranged at the under side of the table 1 with respect to the transverseslot 5.

The stamp-feeding mechanism is adapted to feed the stamps one at a timefrom a continuous roll or strip into position immediately under thestamp-affixing plunger-rod 12. This stamp feeding mechanism comprises ahorizontal transversely arranged guide-plate '77, carried upon the frontportion of the upright frame 8 at a suitable point of elevation abovethe plane of movement of the arm 38 of the moistening mechanism. Thisguide-plate is arranged at the left-hand side of the machine and isprovided with an outer edge flange 78, and its inner end 79 projectswith relation to two feed-rolls 80 and 81, respectively, at theleft-hand end of a horizontal stampguiding frame 82, projecting from thefront portion of the upright frame 8 and mounted with relation to thestamp-affixing plunger-rod 12 and in elevated position above the planeof movement of the arm 38 of the moistening mechanism. This stampguidingframe is adapted to receive a single stamp as it is passed from betweenthe feedrolls, and said frame is provided with a rectangular opening 83,through which the corresponding dieor platen 8i upon the lower end ofthe stamp-at'fixing plunger-rod 12 is adapted to pass. The opening 83and the platen 8% correspond in size and contour to the stamp. At theright-hand side of the stamp receiving frame 82 may be provided avertical flange or ridge 85, against which the outer edge of the stampwill abut, so that its position with relation to the opening 83 isinsured.

A single stamp is adapted to be fed from between the feed-roll to thereceiving-frame 82 while the stamp-aflixing plunger-rod is movingdownward, so that when the bottom 8i of said plunger-rod reaches theframe 82 the stamp will be in accurate position over the opening 83 andwill be carried through said opening and ,afiixed to the envelop by thefurther downward movement of said plunger-rod.

The lower feed-roller S1 is arranged to bear, under tension of springmechanism, against the under side of the upper feed-roll 80 for thepurpose of properly governing the passage of the stamp and at the sametime enable the proper separation of said rolls for the initialinsertion of the stamp-strip when desired For this purpose the lowerfeed-roll 81 is preferably journaled in and carried by a supplementaryframe 86, having a vertical extension 87, adapted to slide vertically insuitable guides 88, carried upon the left-hand side of the front portionof the upright framework 8, said supplementary frame being sustained inposition by means of a coiled spring 89, arranged between a suitableshoulder or projection upon the vertical extension 87 of thesupplementary frame and a shoulder or projection 91 upon the main frame.This vertical coiled spring 89 may be carried around a rod 92,projecting upwardly from the shoulder 91 of the main frame and adaptedto slide in a guide eye or opening in the shoulder 90 upon thesupplementary frame, which rod will form a suitable guide or bracedevice in the sliding operation of the supplementary frame. A head orknob 93m'ay be provided at the top of the supplementary frame, by meansof which it may be conveniently depressed against the tension of thespring 89 to carry the roll 81 downwardly from engagement with the roll80. The feedrolls 80 and 81 may be provided with an elasticfriction-surface 94, as shown.

The top feed-roll 80 is carried by a rotary shaft 95, having its frontend bearing in a bracket 96, projecting from the table 1, and its rearend bearing in the front portion of the upright framework 8. This rearend car- 'ries a pinion 97, meshing with a gear-wheel 98, carriedinsuitable'position above the pinion by a shaft 99, having its front endbearing in the front portion of the upright framework 8 and its rear endbearing in a supplementary frame 100, arranged in rear thereof.

Itwill be understood that the gear-wheel 98 is arranged in transverseposition with relation to the machine and with relation to thefeed-rolls, and upon the rear face of said gearwheel is secured a diskor plate 101, preferably of larger diameter than the gear-wheel andcarrying a circular series of equidistantly-arranged projecting pins102, the relative construction and arrangement being such that movementof the gear-wheel 98 a distance corresponding to the space between eachpair of these pins will operate the feedroll mechanism sufliciently tocause the movement of one stamp into position with relation to thestamp-affixing plunger.

The gear-wheel 98 is locked against a rearward or return movement at thetermination of each of its intermittent movements for the feeding of asingle stamp by means of a vertical spring-actuated locking-pin 103,sliding in suitable bearings at the top of the supplementary frame 100and provided with a stop or shoulder 104:, bearing with relation to the'frame 100 and limiting the downward movement of the locking-pin, agoverning coiled spring 105 being arranged between said stop or shoulderand the top portion of the frame 100. This locking-pin is adapted at thefinal period of the respective intermittent movements of the gear-wheel98 to slide over the respective lateral pins 102 and drop in rear of thelatter by action of its coiled'spring 105, thus locking the gear-wheel98 against any reverse movement, but at all times permitting its forwardintermittent movement. The locking-pin is provided with a beveled orinclined bottom edge 106 to facilitate its passage over the pins 102.

The gear-wheel 98 is intermittentlyrotated by meansof avertically-arranged spring-actuated pawl 107, carried upon the mainplunger operating mechanism in a suitable position with relation to thelaterally-projecting pins 102. This pawl is preferably fulcrumed, as at108, upon the cross banor plate 14, which extends between the lowerportions of the plungers 10 and 12. The lower end or arm 109 of-the pawlbelow its fulcrum projects outwardly, so that its bottom edge 110 willbear downwardly upon one of the lateral pins 102 of the gear-wheel 98 onthe downstroke of the main plunger mechanism, and thus :carry thegear-wheel in a partial revolution equivalent to the distance betweentwo of its pins. At the termination of this partial movement of thegear-wheel the lateral pin will be carried, by reason of its rotaryplane of travel, from beneath the pawl as soon as the distance traversedby the gear-wheel equals the space between two of said lateral pins,when the pawl will be simply carried farther downward in the continueddownstroke of the main plunger operating mechanism. 7

It will be understood that each engagement of the pawl with therespective pins 102 will operate the stamp-feed mechanism so that itfeeds exactly one stamp into position beneath the stamp-affixing plunger12.

On the upstroke of the main operating plunger mechanism the pawl willbear against the pin 102 next above that which has just been engaged inthe downstroke of the pawl, and the latter will be forced inwardlybysaid pin until it passes over the same, when it will slip outwardlyinto position over the pin, ready for the next downstroke, as shown inFig. 3. To facilitate this passage of the pawl beyond the pin, the outeredge of its lower a'rm 109, just above its bottom edge 110, is curved orbeveled, as shown at 111. During this slipping operation of the pawlback of and into position above the lateral pin 102, which is to beoperated on the next downstroke, the gear-wheel 98 is maintained infixed posit-ion with respect to any reverse movement by means of thelocking-pin 103.

The pawl is provided above its fulcrum with a top arm 112, and thespring mechanism by which the pawl is placed in position above the pin102 after it has passed by and against the latter on its upward strokeis connected with this arm. This spring mechanism preferably comprises aheaded crosspin 113, passing through an opening inthe horizontal plate 11 and having its front end IOS' IIO

connected to the top end of the pawl-arm 112,

a coiled spring 114: being interposed between the head of said pin andthe face of the crossplate ll opposite that upon which the pawl isfulcrumed. The top inner edge 115 of the top arm 112 of the pawl bearsagainst the face of the cross-plate 14 when the pawl is in normalposition above the pin 102, upon which it is to operate, and by havingthe headed pin 113 adjustable, by means of a screw-thread or in anyother suitable manner, in the top end of the pawl-arm 112 an adjustmentof the normal relation of thelower edge 1.10 of the pawl with respect toits position above the pin 102 may be effected.

\Vhen the main plunger operating mechanism is in normal position, thelower end of the pawl is in position immediately above one of thelateral pins 102. (See Fig. 3.) On the downstroke of the main plungeroperating mechanism, when the pawl has turned the stamp-feed mechanismin one of its intermittent movements to feed a single stamp intoposition above the receiving-plate 82 and has just passed fromengagement with said lateral pin 102, the lower end of thestamp-affixing plunger 12 will have reached a point immediately abovesaid stamp-receiving plate 82, and the arm 38 of the moisteningmechanism will have passed beyond the plane of the stroke of saidstamp-affixing plunger. A stamp has now been fed into position above theplate 82 and with relation to the opening 83 therein, and on the furtherdownstroke of the main plunger operating mechanism the pawl 107 willswing free from engagement with the stamp-feeding mechanism and thelower platen end or die 84 of the stamp-affixing plunger 2 will passthrough the opening 83 in the plate 82 and operate to cut the stamp atthe edge of said opening from its strip and carry the same downwardlythrough the opening into position upon the moistened surface of theenvelop.

The strip of stamps is preferably carried upon a spool 116, mounted atthe left-hand side of the machine and in proper relation to theguide-plate 77. This spoolis preferably carried between two arms orlevers 117 117, carried upon the supporting-frame 2 of the table 1 andprojecting above the latter. These arms carry at their inner facesprojecting studs or gudgeons 118, received by correspondingbearing-recesses in the ends of the with the drawings.

spool. To enable convenient insertion and removal of the spools, one ofthe side plates 117 is hinged, as at 110, and is adapted to swingoutwardly with relation to the other side plate, the hinged plate beingretained in position by a coiled spring 120 extending between the twoplates 117 and serving by its tension to retain the plates in properrelative position and also govern the rapidity of revolution of thespool.

The operation and advantages of our invention will be readily understoodfrom the foregoing description taken in connection It will be noted thatthe moistening mechanism, stamp-feeding mechanism, stamp-affixingmechanism, and the ejector mechanism are all operated in a sim ultaneousbut correlative and successive series of movements by one single strokeof the main plunger operating mechanism, the sequence of action of thevarious parts being as follows: First, the moistening mechanism isoperated and simultaneously with it the stamp-feed mechanism, then thestamp-aflixing mechanism operates, then the ejector mechanism operatesin a complete movement as the stamp-affixing mechanism is returning tonormal position, and then said stamp-allixing mechanism and themoistening mechanism are returned to normal position. The returnmovements of all the different mechanisms are automatically effected.The moistening mechanism and stamp-ailixing mechanism are directlyconnected with the main operating plunger mechanism, the stamp-feedmechanism has an intermittent engagement with said operating mechanism,and the ejector mechanism has an indirect connection with said mainoperating mechanism by engagement with the moistening mechanism.

The machine is exceedingly compact and is simple, effective, convenient,and rapid in operation.

Having fully described our invention, we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent 1. In an envelop-stampingmachine, a moisteningmechanism comprising a cam-drum provided with an angular slot comprisinga portion extending obliquely with respect to the bearing of the drumand a forward extension at right angles to said bearing, in combinationwith a lever mechanism carrying moistening devices and engaging saidangue.

lar slot in the drum, wherebysaid lever mechanism is swung duringengagement with the oblique portion of the slot and remains stationaryin the extension of said slot during the further turn of the drum,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In an envelop-stamping machine, the combination, with a verticallyoperating stamp-affixing plunger mechanism, of a camdrum having. anangular slot comprising a portion arranged obliquely to the bearing ofsaid drum and a portion extending at right angles to the bearing,connection between said plunger mechanism and the drum, and a horizontallever mechanism carrying moistening devices and engaging the angularslot in the drum, whereby on the downstroke of the plunger mechanism thedrum is operated to swing the lever mechanism under the stamp-affixingplunger as said lever mechanism engages the oblique portion of said slotsaid moistening mechanism remaining stationary during the furtherdownstroke of the plunger as said lever mechanism engages the extensionof said slot, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. An envelop-stamping machine, com prisin g a vertically-operati n gstam p-affixin g plunger, a guide-plate arranged transversely withrelation to the plane of movement of the plunger and adapted to guideone edge of the envelop, and an ejector-slide arranged to project atright angles to said guide-plate and forming a supplementary guide forthe other edge of the envelop, substantially as and for the purpose setforth.

4. An envelop-stampingmachine, comprising a vertically-operatingstamp-affixing pl unger operating above-a table or platform, aguide-plate mounted upon said table or platform adapted to position anenvelop beneath the plunger and having a projecting top flange, and anejector-slide operating parallelly with relation to said flangedguide-plate and projecting at right angles thereto, said guide-plate andprojecting portions of the ejector-slide conjointly forming a guide inthe placing of the envelop, substantially as and for the purpose setforth.

5. In an envelopstamping machine, the combination,with a guide-plateagainst which one edge of the envelop is adapted to hear, saidguide-plate having a flange projecting at its top, of an ejector-slideoperating parallelly with relation to said guide-plate and having aprojecting portion arranged at right angles thereto and forming asupplementary guide for the other edge of the envelop,whereby saidguide-plate and the projecting portion of the ejector-slide conjointlyform guides in the placing of the envelop and the guideplate retains andguides, the envelop as it is ejected by the operation of theejector-slide, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. An envelop-stamping machine, comprising an ejector mechanism, and amoistening mechanism intermittently engaging and operating said ejectormechanism, whereby the ejector mechanism is actuated'in a completemovement at an intermediate point in the operation of the moisteningmechanism, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

7. In an envelop-stamping machine, a camd rum, a lever to operate in anejector mechanism and engaging said cam-drum, a camdrum connected withand operating moistening mechanism, and devices for locking said drumstogether and disconnecting the same at an intermediate point in theoperation of the moistening-mechanism drum, substantially as and for thepurpose set forth.

8. An envelop-stamping machine, comprising a cam-drum having a slotobliquely arranged With relation to the hearing of the drum,moisteningmechanism embodying alever engaging said slot, a supplementary cam drumhaving a slot obliquely arranged with respect to the bearing of thedrum, a lever engaging said slot an ejector mechanism op- .erated bysaid lever, and automatic devices for locking said drums together anddisconnecting the same at an intermediate point in the movement,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

9. An envelop-stamping machine, comprising a main'operating plungermechanism carrying a stamp-affixing plunger, a cam-drum connected withsaid main operating plunger mechanism, lever mechanism adapted to swingbeneath the stamp-affixin g plunger and engaging said cam-drum, asupplementary cam-drum, ejector mechanism a lever connected' therewithand engaging said supplementary cam-drum, and devices for connectingsaid drums and disconnecting the same at an intermediate point in theirmovements, whereby the stamp aflixing and moistening and ejectormechanisms are all simultaneously operated in relatively successivemovements upon one stroke of the main operating plunger mechanism,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

10. An envelop-stamping macliine,comprising a main operating plungermechanism carrying a stamp-affixing plunger, a moistening mechanismconnected with and operated by said main operating plunger mechanism inan intermittent movement with relation to the stamp-affixing plunger,and an ejector mechanism engaging said moistening mechanism at anintermediate point in its operation, whereby the stamp-afiixin g andstampmoistening mechanisms are directly and the ejector mechanism isindirectly successively operated by a stroke of the main operatingplunger mechanism, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

11. An envelop-stampingmachine,comprisinga main operating plungermechanism carrying a stamp-affixing plunger, a moistening mechanismconnected with and operated by said main operating plunger mechanism,

.means for returning said main plunger mechanism and the moisteningmechanism to normal position, an independently arranged ejectormechanism, means for engaging the ejector mechanism with the otheroperative mechanism and for disengaging it therefrom at an intermediatepoint in the movement thereof and means for independently andautomatically returning the ejector mechanism to normal position,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

12. An envelop-stampingmachine,comprising a main operating plungermechanism embodying a vertically-operating stamp-affixing plunger and avertically-operating supplementary plunger, a cam-drum having a slotobliquely arranged with relation to the hearing of said drum, a leverengaging said slot and comprised in a mechanism embodying an armcarrying a moistening device adapted to be swung under thestamp-affixing plunger, said drum having an opening in its head or end,a connecting-rod extending between the supplementary plunger and saiddrum, a supplementary drum having a slot arranged obliquely With respectto the bearing of the drum and at a reverse angle to the oblique slot inthe other drum, said supplementary drum carrying a spring-actuated catchadapted to engage the opening in the end of the main drum at a pointduring the movement of the latter, a lever engaging the slot in thesupplementary drum and connected with and operating an ejector device,means for disengaging the spring-actuated catch of the supplementarydrum from the opening in the end of the main drum during the conjointmovement of said drums, and means for returning the supplementary drumto normal position, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

13. An envelop-stampingmachine,compris ing a main operating plungermechanism carrying a vertically-operating stamp-afiixing plunger andasupplemen tary plunger, means for returning said main operating plungermechanism to normal position, a cam-drum having an angular slotembodying a portion arranged obliquely with respect to the bearing ofthe drum and an end extension at right angles to said bearing, said drumhaving an opening in its end or head, a lever engaging the angular slotin said drum and comprised in a moistening mechanism embodying aswinging arm carrying a moistening device and adapted to move under thest-amp-aflixing plunger, a connecting-rod between the supplementaryplunger and said cam-drum, a supplementary cam -drum having a slotarranged obliquely with respect to the bearing of the drum and at rightangles to the oblique portion of the slot in the main drum, a leverengaging the slot in the supplementary drum and comprised in an ejectormechanism, means for returning said supplementary drum to normalposition, a spring-actuated catch carried by the supplementary drum andprojecting from its end or head and adapted to engage the opening in thehead of the main drum, and an inclined guide-track engaging said catchand adapted to throw the same from eiigagement with said opening,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

11-. In an envelop-stamping machine, a stamp feed mechanism comprising agearwheel having at one face a circular series of equidistantlaterallyprojecting pins, feedrolls having gear engaging saidgear-wheel, a spring-actuated pawl or lever adapted to successivelyengage said pins, and a springactuated catch adapted to engage said pinsto lock the gear against reverse movement during the return stroke ofthe spring-actuated operating-pawl, substantially as and for the purposeset forth.

15. An envelop-stamping machine,comprising a platform or table uponwhich the envelop is adapted to be placed in position, an uprightframework carried by said table, a vertically-mounted main operatingplunger mechanism carrying a stamp-affixing plunger, ahorizontally-arranged moistening mechanism mounted above the table andadapted to swing beneath the vertically-operating stampaffixing plunger,said moistening mechanism being directly connected to the main plungeroperating mechanism, an ejector mechanism mounted beneath the table andoperating in a slot in the same, said ejector mechanism having anoperative connection with the moistening mechanism and being thusindirectly connected with the main operating plunger mechanism, and astamp-feeding mechanism arranged above the table and illtermittentlyengaged by the main operating plunger mechanism, whereby the stroke ofthe latter simultaneously and correlatively operates allot said severalindependent mechanisms in a relatix'ely successive movement,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

16. An envelop-stampingmachine,comprising a suitable frame orsupport,provided with a table or platform, a vertically-operating main plungermechanism, a horizontally-journaled cam-drum having a slot arranged0bliquely with the bearing of said drum, a pivotal connecting-rodextending between the vertical plunger mechanism and said drum, ahorizontally-swinging lever mechanism,and moistening devices connectedtherewith, said last-named lever mechanism being adapted to engage withthe oblique slot in the camdrum, substantially as shown and described.

17. An envelop-stampingmachine,comprising a suitable frame or support, aplatform or table forming partthereof, a main operating plungermechanism, a stamp-affixing plunger connected therewith, a moisteningmechanism arranged to swing beneath said stampaflixing plunger,intermittently-operating devices connected with the moistening mechanismand with the main operating plunger mechanism whereby the stroke of themain operating plunger'mechanism aetuates the moistening mechanism in anintermittent movement with relation to the continuous movement of thestamp-affixin g plunger, substantially as shown and described.

18. An envelop-stamping machine,comprising a suitable frame orsupport, atable forming part of said frame, a main drum adapted to partiallyrotate, asupplemental drum, devices conneeted with the supplemental drumfor engaging the main drum when it reaches the end of its movement, saidsupplemental drum being carried by the main drum in its reversemovement, and means for releasing said automatic devices anddisconnecting said drums when the main drum has partially described itsreverse movement,substantially as shown and described.

19. An en velop-stampin g maehine,eomprising a suitable frame orsupport,a table or platform forming part thereof, a main drum having anopening in its head or end, a supplemental drum provided with aspring-actuated catch which is adapted to engage with the opening in themain d rum,friction-rollers e011- nected With said catch, and aninclined track presence ofthe subscribingwitnesses,this 20th on whichsaid rollers are adapted to move, day of December, 1897. said trackbeing adapted to actuate said catch so as to disengage it from saidopening during i fi gg gi the turning of the drums, substantially asshown and described. Witnesses:

' In testimony that we claim the foregoing as L. M. MULLER, ourinvention we have signed our names, in M. A. KNOWLES.

